Burkina draft law sees 20 pct tax on mine transfers

JOHANNESBURG/OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Impoverished Burkina Faso is considering a 20 percent tax on the sale of mining licenses in a move to raise funds that could hit expansion plans by miners operating in the west African state.

The draft law, a copy of which has been obtained by Reuters, is the latest example of resource nationalism which has become a defining feature of Africa's political risk profile as countries attempt to extract more revenue from mining firms.

In Burkina Faso, mining companies are required to register with the government any agreements they make to sell a license. The government has said proposed revisions to the mining code will go to the legislature before the end of the year.

A source in the mining ministry, who declined to be named, confirmed the proposed new tax and said it was meant to cool speculation on mining rights, or the "flipping" of mining titles for a fast profit.

But it could be a disincentive to investors who would not want to be penalised for developing a mining asset by paying 20 percent of its sale price to the government.

Small and mid-sized gold miners have been especially active in the country, which has a similar geology to neighboring Ghana and Mali, Africa's second and third largest bullion producers respectively. The country also has potentially rich zinc resources.

"Gains made on the sale of rights, and the income linked to forms of transactions related to the rights, will give rise to the collection of a specific duty at a rate of 20 percent payable during the registration process," the draft law says.
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